Kariya Hopes He’s Ready to Break Out

The recent vanishing act that has been Paul Kariya materialized for the Mighty Ducks on Wednesday night. There is a need for him to make many more appearances.

Kariya had a power-play goal -- set up beautifully by center Steve Rucchin -- and in the Ducks’ 2-2 tie with Phoenix on Wednesday. He also nearly won the game in overtime, firing a shot from the blue line, then charging the net to get a second shot off the rebound.

But the goal was only Kariya’s second in the last 10 games.

“If you’re not getting opportunities to score, it’s not a good thing,” said Kariya, who had four shots on goal Wednesday.

“Sometimes that happens from game to game. Overall, my shot total is up a little bit. Sometimes you’re just not in position to shoot the puck. You can be creating offensively without the puck. But there are just times when I just have to start ripping the puck and not look for the pretty play.”

The Ducks will take it either way, as long as Kariya scores. He had 32 goals last season, his lowest total for a full season. His numbers are up this season with a team-high 10 goals.

Yet, Kariya was a non-factor in recent games.

“You’re best player has to be your best player every night,” Coach Mike Babcock said. “I know that and he knows that.”

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Ruslan Salei, one of the Ducks’ top defensemen, is doubtful for today’s game against the Kings because of back spasms and a bruised elbow.

Salei was injured in the first period Wednesday. He played one shift in the second period, then left the game. He had X-rays afterward that were negative. Salei said the back spasms are what could keep him out.

“It happened when I was hit in the first period,” Salei said. “I re-aggravated it when I tried to play. We’ll just have to see how I feel [today].”

Babcock said no one would be recalled from Cincinnati at this time.

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TODAY

Ducks vs. Kings, 1 p.m., Fox Sports Net 2

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- KPLS (830), ESPN (1110).

Records -- Ducks 8-7-5-3; Kings 9-7-3-3.

Record vs. Kings -- 0-1-0-0.

Update -- The Ducks have blown two-goal leads in the third period four times this season, including the last two in which they gave up the tying goal in the last minute. The Kings have a seven-game unbeaten streak (6-0-1-0) against the Ducks.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.